CC keeps on saying "Trailer Light"...

[StuartB]

It's been doing this since I got the car, though there is no towbar fitted. I'm not sure if it's related, but when I use the indicators, very briefly a second indicator light comes on underneath the main one on the instrument panel.

I've had the boot trim up and found the someone had snipped a wire on a multipin connector near the pass. side rear light cluster, so I rejoined it to see what would happen. No joy.

How do I convince my car that, in real life, it doesn't actually have a trailer connected?

[rickm]

Do the EU models have a connector light module somewhere in the back, possibly under the rear seat?

[winfred]

on usa cars false warnings are a sign that the check control module is dieing

[StuartB]

*bump*

CCM seems OK, it reads and presents all the other information perfectly.. I think it might have had a towbar at one point but I can't see any sort of wiring behind the bumper... This is the only thing the car is shouting at me about, and I'm starting to get fed up of being *BONG!*ed at whenever I turn the key ;)

EDIT: Though I do have something to be happy about (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2485436875) :D

[gvilkelis]

Hi,

I had the same problem on my E34 '88.
You remove the covers on the driver side (near the tail lights) in your car trunk and search for Trailer wiring - on my car there was a loose connector not connected anywhere. Then you should jumper (-) contact (I guess brown wire) with the wire which is close to brown wire. I don't remember wire color, but if you find this connector in your trunk, post a message - I will check what is the other wire color on my car.

[aussie540i]

I have a similar problem but mine is the licence plate light warning coming on. i have checked the globes etc... well they are working but i still get the "bong" as well...it pisses me off but i dont know how to fix it , would appreciate any advise.

thanks
steve
1993 540ia

[Paul in NZ]

or try two? identical bulbs of the correct wattage/type.I think the cc module compares resistances.......

[StuartB]

Well, after a quick dig I found this connector near the left light cluster (pass side here):

http://www.aqwh78.dsl.pipex.com/misc/connector.jpg

Not entirely sure whether one wire is the sensor current for the check control, and the other one activates the lights or if it's more complext than that.. couldn't play much more as it started belting down...

EDIT: Colours are Brown (earth), Blue with white tracer and purple with white tracer (that someone cut and left hanging at one point). I'm wondering if I should put a fuseholder between the earth and one of those wires so it can't dump too much current down there.

[StuartB]

Well, managed to fit the back end into the garage to do some more poking around, and found three more plugs behind the long piece of trim that traverses the boot:

http://www.aqwh78.dsl.pipex.com/misc/plugs.jpg

http://www.aqwh78.dsl.pipex.com/misc/plug1.jpg
Those wires look a little thin to be part of the main trailer harness.. so, dunno.

EDIT: Hmm.. I'm starting to suspect that these are the wires for the trailer lights and indicators.. though I haven't been able to get any power at any of them...

http://www.aqwh78.dsl.pipex.com/misc/plug2.jpg
Looking at the gauge of the wires here this plug would be my favourite for the main connector. Also there's some goo that would make me think it's been glued into a connector somewhere along the line...

EDIT: This seems to be the plug where most of the high current stuff comes from. Heres what I found from a quick session with the multimeter:

Purple & White: UNKNOWN
Red & Black with Yellow tracer: 12V CONSTANT
Blue & Yellow: REVERSING LIGHTS
White & Yellow: FOGLIGHTS
Blue & Broken Yellow Tracer: Switched 12V
Brown: EARTH

The purple & white wire is the one that most intruiges me at the moment. I think it's the brake light wire, but there's no voltage change when the brakes are applied (or if the lights or indicators are on either). Strangely, back on that three pin connector in the post above, this is the same colour wire as the one that had been cut. I think the 3 pin jobbie might have been for the factory amp for the stereo, as there certainly isn't one there now.

http://www.aqwh78.dsl.pipex.com/misc/plug3.jpg
Now this has me stumped.. looks just like the clock/OBC connector plug. Perhaps there was a control unit for something tucked back here on some models?

[aussie540i]

or try two? identical bulbs of the correct wattage/type.I think the cc module compares resistances.......
great help i will give it a try thanks Paul :)

steve mackney
1993 540ia

[gvilkelis]

Hi,

I have checked my car. I have shortened the brown wire and the wire next to it (the Blue & Broken Yellow Tracer) on the 6 pin connector. I did it without any fuse, just put a jumper wire in the pin. And it worked :)

I have no idea what the other two connectors are for.

[StuartB]

Cheers! :D

Stuck a fuseholder between the two wires just to be on the safe side, but this seems to have sorted it :D

[Geoff Hoad]

Its a common enough problem and is usually solved with a bit of emery paper. PITA wile it lasts though.

[aussie540i]

Its a common enough problem and is usually solved with a bit of emery paper. PITA wile it lasts though.
yes it is a PITA , thanks guys a little weekend job for me if i can stop the mrs doing her nails for a while (to get the emery board off her lol)

cheers
steve
1993 540ia